Current advice for Turkmenistan?
 

Hello everyone,

I've spent all day HUBB-Hunting and Googling, and exchanging emails with Stantours, but I'm still confused about Turkmenistan. We are hoping to go via ferry from Azerbaijan and will be crossing into Uzbekistan.

Does anyone have up to date experience of getting a Turkmenistan transit visa issued (ideally in advance, in London)? How likely is it to be refused?

Second question is how wise would we be (as first timers) to use a transit visa given the potential for delays at the Ferry causing us to run out of time?

Any advice very welcome indeed. Thanks all!

Cheers,
Al

So
 

Hi there,

I will be travelling with Russ (extremegene) and have been communicating with David at Stantours, who can be a little cryptic. I think that as well as a transit visa, you can also apply for a tourist visa, but this will be done at the border, is expensive and not guranteed. This might be a fall back for you should the ferry be late.

this is what David said to us:

In Turkmenistan you will normally only get a MAXIMUM 5 day transit visa, so we would strongly recopmmend you to budget for a TOURIST visa the final dates for whjich can be adjusted and which can be issued at the border

Otherwise it appears to be a bit of an inigma, so I will certainly be watching this thread with interest

Transit visas have fixed dates...so they can be problematic if the ferry is delayed...BUT you can extend your transit visa in Ashgabat...what you're doing is essentially purchasing a second visa that's granted to you on the spot...I did that...

The key to doing this is to make sure the insurance you purchase at the border covers the initial visa period and the potential extension...as you can't buy the insurance extension in Ashgabat.

You will be asked to present your papers at various checkpoints and they do check.

HTH

You can theoretically do this only if your given transit itinerary includes Ashgabat, so you can actually go there. Mine did not include Ashgabat. I was going from Uzbekistan to Iran and when transit visa was issued, on visa there was completely different entry and exit points that I asked for in visa application. I got the visa in Tashkent, probably the most horrible embassy I have ever dealt with. :)

Quite possibly true...I entered at Turkmenbashi(from Azerbaijan) and exited via Uzbekistan...so Ashgabat was on my route...

The best embassy to deal with may be the one in Turkey(Istanbul)...I got mine within 5 days...you do need a bordering country's visa in your passport...as Turkmenistan won't grant you entry without proving you can exit.

They have LOTS of little rules...have fun;)

BTW, Rebaseonu...I loved your trip pics!!;)

One more thing that may be helpful for those who are entering with transit visa. Basically on border you will be given transit paper than has generic map of Turkmenistan main roads and your itinerary is drawn on this paper, as well are written transit point names (plus it has 5 different stamps from different officials).

http://www.rebaseonu.net/uploads/mototrip/p1010843.jpg

This is to keep you on given route. However, I think when someone starts preparing this paper for you you can tell him you want different itinerary than one listed in your transit visa. I guess if he is not in bad mood he can alter itinerary a bit along your wishes. If you don't tell him he will put the route you have in your passport. Once the paper is done you'll need to stick to the route.

The paper also lists all fees you need to pay to enter (like insurance, fuel tax etc), for me total was 58 USD (bike).